sense and sensibility(理智与情感)-第44节
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necessity of some serious inquiry into the affair。
Mrs。 Palmer and two elderly ladies of Mrs。 Jennings’s intimate
acquaintance； whom she had met and invited in the morning；
dined with them。 The former left them soon after tea to fulfil her
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evening engagements； and Elinor was obliged to assist in making a
whist table for the others。 Marianne was of no use on these
occasions； as she would never learn the game； but though her time
was therefore at her own disposal； the evening was by no means
more productive of pleasure to her than to Elinor； for it was spent
in all the anxiety of expectation and the pain of disappointment。
She sometimes endeavoured for a few minutes to read； but the
book was soon thrown aside； and she returned to the more
interesting employment of walking backwards and forwards
across the room； pausing for a moment whenever she came to the
window； in hopes of distinguishing the long…expected rap。
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CHAPTER V
f this open weather holds much longer；” said Mrs。
Jennings； when they met at breakfast the following
“Imorning； “Sir John will not like leaving Barton next
week； ’tis a sad thing for sportsmen to lose a day’s pleasure。 Poor
souls！ I always pity them when they do； they seem to take it so
much to heart。”
“That is true；” cried Marianne； in a cheerful voice； and walking
to the window as she spoke； to examine the day。 “I had not
thought of that。 This weather will keep many sportsmen in the
country。”
It was a lucky recollection； all her good spirits were restored by
it。 “It is charming weather for them indeed；” she continued； as she
sat down to the breakfast table with a happy countenance。 “How
much they must enjoy it！ But” （with a little return of anxiety） “it
cannot be expected to last long。 At this time of the year； and after
such a series of rain； we shall certainly have very little more of it。
Frosts will soon set in； and in all probability with severity。 In
another day or two perhaps； this extreme mildness can hardly last
longer—nay； perhaps it may freeze tonight！”
“At any rate；” said Elinor； wishing to prevent Mrs。 Jennings
from seeing her sister’s thoughts as clearly as she did； “I dare say
we shall have Sir John and Lady Middleton in town by the end of
next week。”
“Ay； my dear； I’ll warrant you we do。 Mary always has her own
way。”
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“And now；” silently conjectured Elinor； “she will write to
Combe by this day’s post。”
But if she did； the letter was written and sent away with a
privacy which eluded all her watchfulness to ascertain the fact。
Whatever the truth of it might be； and far as Elinor was from
feeling thorough contentment about it； yet while she saw
Marianne in spirits； she could not be very uncomfortable herself。
And Marianne was in spirits； happy in the mildness of the
weather； and still happier in her expectation of a frost。
The morning was chiefly spent in leaving cards at the houses of
Mrs。 Jennings’s acquaintance to inform them of her being in town；
and Marianne was all the time busy in observing the direction of
the wind； watching the variations of the sky and imagining an
alteration in the air。
“Don’t you find it colder than it was in the morning； Elinor？
There seems to me a very decided difference。 I can hardly keep
my hands warm even in my muff。 It was not so yesterday； I think。
The clouds seem parting too； the sun will be out in a moment； and
we shall have a clear afternoon。”
Elinor was alternately diverted and pained； but Marianne
persevered； and saw every night in the brightness of the fire； and
every morning in the appearance of the atmosphere； the certain
symptoms of approaching frost。
The Miss Dashwoods had no greater reason to be dissatisfied
with Mrs。 Jennings’s style of living； and set of acquaintance； than
with her behaviour to themselves； which was invariably kind。
Every thing in her household arrangements was conducted on the
most liberal plan； and excepting a few old city friends； whom； to
Lady Middleton’s regret； she had never dropped； she visited no
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one to whom an introduction could at all discompose the feelings
of her young companions。 Pleased to find herself more
comfortably situated in that particular than she had expected；
Elinor was very willing to compound for the want of much real
enjoyment from any of their evening parties； which； whether at
home or abroad； formed only for cards； could have little to amuse
her。
Colonel Brandon； who had a general invitation to the house；
was with them almost every day； he came to look at Marianne and
talk to Elinor； who often derived more satisfaction from
conversing with him than from any other daily occurrence； but
who saw at the same time with much concern his continued
regard for her sister。 She feared it was a strengthening regard。 It
grieved her to see the earnestness with which he often watched
Marianne； and his spirits were certainly worse than when at
Barton。
About a week after their arrival； it became certain that
Willoughby was also arrived。 His card was on the table when they
came in from the morning’s drive。
“Good God！” cried Marianne； “he has been here while we were
out。” Elinor； rejoiced to be assured of his being in London； now
ventured to say； “depend upon it； he will call again to…morrow。”
But Marianne seemed hardly to hear her； and on Mrs。 Jenning’s
entrance； escaped with the precious card。
This event； while it raised the spirits of Elinor； restored to those
of her sister all； and more than all； their former agitation。 From
this moment her mind was never quiet； the expectation of seeing
him every hour of the day； made her unfit for any thing。 She
insisted on being left behind； the next morning； when the others
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went out。
Elinor’s thoughts were full of what might be passing in
Berkeley…street during their absence； but a moment’s glance at
her sister when they returned was enough to inform her； that
Willoughby had paid no second visit there。 A note was just then
brought in； and laid on the table；
“For me！” cried Marianne； stepping hastily forward。
“No； ma’am； for my mistress。”
But Marianne； not convinced； took it instantly up。
“It is indeed for Mrs。 Jennings； how provoking！”
“You are expecting a letter； then？” said Elinor； unable to be
longer silent。
“Yes； a little—not much。”
After a short pause。 “You have no confidence in me； Marianne。”
“Nay； Elinor； this reproach from you—you who have confidence
in no one！”
“Me！” returned Elinor in some confusion； “indeed； Marianne； I
have nothing to tell。”
“Nor I；” answered Marianne with energy； “our situations
